Royal Randwick is host to a brilliant nine-race programme today, Saturday April 9, for the 2011 AJC Australian Derby Day and below are the current Randwick race field updates and scratchings.
Racing fans and punters are in for a treat at Randwick today with an action packed meeting featuring nine Group races of the highest standard on a Derby Day programme that has over $3.87 million in stakes on offer.
With a sunny skies and an improving Dead (5) track, the Australian Turf Club’s David Jones Australian Derby Day is going to be something special.
Black Caviar is the main attraction at today's AJC Derby Day
Adding to the excitement today is Peter Moody’s sprint queen Black Caviar bringing her customary champagne style and grace to Sydney for the first time.
The world’s fastest horse is out to record a remarkable 12th straight victory when she steps out for the $1 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Black Caviar will face a quality field of 10 courageous rivals in the TJ Smith Stakes at 2:20pm (AEST) this afternoon with no scratchings recorded in the first of three Group 1 features.
Kicking off the top-class racing action at Randwick today is the $125,000 Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) for two-year-olds.
Gerald Ryan’s unraced son of Not A Single Doubt, Conroy’s Gap will start the favourite in the now nine-horse field following the early scratching of #2 Boys On Tour.
Another notable Derby Day race scratching is #11 Galizani from Race 3 – the $175,000 Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m).
The in-form Galileo mare from the stables of John Thompson was one of the top chances in the staying feature after her last-start win in the Listed Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on March 26.
In second Group 1 showdown on the Randwick programme, the $500,000 Group 1 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at 3:00pm (AEST), Anthony Cummings’ colt Smart Missile remains the only withdrawal from the field.
Smart Missile was scratched from the Inglis Sires Produce Stakes field after exhibiting soreness on Thursday morning.
“He wasn’t quite right in his action in behind so I spoke to the connections and made the decision to put the horse out and place the interest of the horse first,” Anthony Cummings told Radio Sport National.
The blow came just days after Smart Missile was sensationally scratched from the Golden Slipper after getting his leg caught in the barrier stalls seconds before the $3.5 million showdown.
Jimmy Choux looks hard to beat in today's AJC Australian Derby
Meanwhile the celebrated 150th edition of the AJC Australian Derby, running as Randwick Race 7 at 3:40pm (AEST), has retained its original field of 14 acceptors with no scratchings to date.
New Zealand Derby champion and last start winner of the Rosehill Guineas, Jimmy Choux is the favourite for the AJC Derby and connections are convinced the consistent Thorn Park colt can win today.
“I think we’ve pulled the right rein because I’m confident he’ll just be too good,” trainer John Bary said.
“He just has such a wonderful turn of foot.”
Below are the complete current 2011 AJC Australian Derby Day race scratchings and punters’ favourites to win each race.
AJC Australian Derby Day Randwick Race Scratchings – 09/04/2011
Randwick Race 1 – McGrath R.E. Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) – 11:50am (AEST)
- Scratched: #2 Boys On Tour (1)
- Favourite: #5 Conroy’s Gap
Randwick Race 2 – Jim Beam Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) – 12:30pm (AEST)
- Scratched: # 12 Money Tree (9)
- Favourite: #1 Kudakulari
Randwick Race 3 – Schweppes Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) – 1:10pm (AEST)
- Scratched: #11 Galizani (7)
- Favourite: #8 Older Than Time
Randwick Race 4 – Emirates Doncaster Mile Prelude (1600m) – 1:45pm (AEST)
- Scratched: #8 Mr Clangtastic (9)
- Favourite: #13 Lebrechaun
Randwick Race 5 – Darley TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) – 2:20pm (AEST)
- No Current Scratchings.
- Favourite: #7 Black Caviar
Randwick Race 6 – Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) – 3:00pm (AEST)
- Scratched: #1 Smart Missile
- Favourite: #4 Do You Think
Randwick Race 7 – David Jones 150th AJC Australian Derby (2400m) – 3:40pm (AEST)
- No Current Scratchings.
- Favourite: #1 Jimmy Choux
Randwick Race 8 – Yellowglen Sapphire Stakes (1200m) – 4:20pm (AEST)
- No Current Scratchings.
- Favourite: #1 Graceful Anna
Randwick Race 9 – Patinack Farm Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) – 5:00pm (AEST)
- Scratched: #17 Vin De Vie (7)
- Favourite: #6 Rose Of Peace
